As you know, mine is the most francophone constituency in Canada. So we obviously don't hear a lot about these problems at my office. I get few requests about relations. Mr. Nadeau is talking about certain situations he is facing. However, people in my riding travel a lot, and the problems mainly concern security issues. When people are overseas and turn to embassies and missions, they often do so in urgent circumstances. I believe that aspect is extremely important. Even here, amongst ourselves, whether we're anglophone or francophone, when we're in an emergency, it's never easy to speak and to make oneself understood. So imagine yourself opposite these people. This is an extremely important aspect of your mission with respect to services to travelling Canadians.
This is the first time your department has been evaluated and you've received an E. Obviously, we would always like to get better marks than what we actually get. However, I don't believe this is just fit for the cat, to repeat what Mr. Bélanger said earlier. I don't doubt what you do, what you write in your reports or your intentions. I believe in you, and I believe you're no doubt capable of earning a better mark than the one you got. I hope we'll have the opportunity to see each other again and to discuss this once more. You're going to write a new report, and I'm sure you'll take into account what you heard today, since that's how we move forward in life.
I would like to ask you a question about locally engaged staff. We know this is often a problem. What real efforts is the department making to ensure these people have a minimum level of bilingualism? You were given the example of Bogota, where 90%, or at least a large majority of services are offered in Spanish. Do you really put the emphasis on French and English, on English and Spanish, or what?